The past few days had been full of chaos. More things got broken, more furniture had to be replaced and more cherished family arilooms found thier way to the trash. All the pups had gotten bigger, each had grown into happy, healthly, rowdy, eight week olds. Aleu howled more, Dingo fought harder, Saba cried less, and got a major girly attitude, and Kodi discovered the art of breaking things more offten, while Adele got into more mischef. It wasn't that they didn't love eachother, or things were purposely introduced to the garbage cans, but it was time for the pups, to expierence the world for themselves, and the time came for Jenna and Balto to make the decision every parents hates, but every parent knows can not be avoided. It just so happens it was on a warm summer night as they tucked the pups in the time came.

     "All done" Balto said falling agianst the wall as he walked out of the finally silent bedroom.

   "Really" Jenna said with a happy sigh of relief "That two minutes earlier than last night"
  

   "Yea I know, looks like we have a little time to oursleves" He grinned getting up and nuzzling her with his warm body, Jenna nuzzled back.

  "What do you say to a quiet evening " Jenna said prancing around him as she rubbed her tail under his chin and walked toward the room Roisie let them sleep in.

  "O your bad" Balto grinned following her with a smile as Jenna laughed and walkd with him. Just as they got to the bedroom though Balto stopped as his paw caught in yet another sticky substance an apparant evidence that one of the pups had been around.

   "Yuck" Balto said lifting his paw from the gooey mess.

  "Dingo" Jenna said bluntly with a sad sigh, the moment was now over.

  "Yea, peanut butter" Balto rolled his eyes as he wiped his paw against a rag on the floor.

  "You know Jenna I've been thinking"  Balto began

   "I know, so have I" Jenna said sitting down next to the window.

   "Its for the best honey" He said licking her cheek to cheer her.

    "I know" She smiled  "When should we tell them?"

    "Tomorrow, the sooner the better they will be so excited" Balto grinned.

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    "What!" Saba burst out

    "But Mom, I want to stay here with you" Dingo said in an uproar as he fell down the plank of Balto's boat.

    "Don't worry, Believe me, you will all love your new homes, and we will still see eachother all the time" Jenna re-assured as all the pups gathered around, Adele was the only one who remained silent, the thought of meeting an owner of her own excited her, but at the same time it worried her. It was no secrect what she was, she was a wolf, mostly when people with kids went out looking for a cute dog to get they go looking for an adorable fluffly tailed pup, but Adele was all the opposite, people took one look and saw one thing, wild, would anyone be willing to trust her?

   "You promise?" Saba asked coming to her Mother's side

     "Yes dear I promise" Jenna smiled

  "That goes for all of you, we will check in on you all the time, and you don't have to be afraid, its just another adventure" Balto's eyes lit up.

   "Really" Kodi asked becoming excited

 "Yes my dear little chicks" Boris said coming onto the boat.

   "Uncle Boris" Adele screamed as the pups gathered around him.

  "So is finding a home really like Dadddy says?" Ding said

   "O yes, let me tell you a story" All the pups breathing hushed and it became quiet it was just what they had wanted. Boris seemed to be the only one who could grab thier attention so.

     Then next day the pups spent the entire day getting ready for the big moment ahead. Jenna made them all get baths agian Rosie brushed their  fur till it literally shined and they all got a lot of doggie breath mints weather they wanted them or not. Balto set a box outside close to the shop windows and put a soft pillow in it and fixed the sign that Roise had made just right, it read Free Puppies.

       "Alright that about does it" Jenna said tying the last of the bow around Adele's neck and standing back to admire her beautiful daughter.

  "Mom do I really have to where this thing" Adele asked

   "Honey you look absolutely gorgeous you need to keep it on" Jenna smiled

   "Alright you pups ready to go?" Balto asked placing each one into the box.

          The day went fast, soon the town awoke and people stopped and gathered around the puppies petting this one and fawning over that one, it was no suprise when a prissy little girl came to the box with a little pink collar and picked Saba up giggling happily as she licked her small round cheeks. The little girl headed quickly aross the street with her mother and Saba waved good bye over the girl's shoulder. The other pups sighed but gave up no hope they were still anxious to find where they had a place to call home. 

    Soon though one after the other people came. The next to go was Dingo, a jolly man with red cheeks and a happy smile petted each pup but soon his gaze fell to Dingo and he picked him up and walked a ways up the street and handed him to a little boy who was more excited than ever as Dingo squirmed in his hand happily. The next to go was the hardest for Adele, it was Kodi. Adele stayed close to his side, but it was evident he was next when a little boy in a green jacked with a toy train in hand walked up and his eyes immediatly hit Kodi and then he was gone too. 

  "Don't worry Adele, keep your chin up" Kodi yelled back

  "And my eyes on the prize" Adele finished with a smile as Kodi winked a good job at her. Adele fell back down in the box with a tired sigh it was just her and Aleu  now.

   "It will be ok" Aleu smiled  laying on top of her sis and tilting her head in her care free way. "Some one will come, its just like Dad says everyone is meant to have someone" She said Balto grinned, but Adele only sighed and lay her head down in a tired deisplay of defeat.

      The shops were closing and people were hurring about to get home and out of the cold breeze. Though suddenly Aleu pushed Adele forcing her to stand and soon both pups were whining over the attention of a little girl that had came to the box of pups with her Father.

  "There so cute"  The little girl said as she laughed as the puppies fought for her attention. She picked Aleu in the air and laughed as the puppy bit her hand playfully. Adele fell back in the box watching with a broken heart as the little girl walked off happily with Aleu, leaving her alone with a rejected feeling agian.

     "Adele honey" Jenna said gently looking at Balto who had his head down, he knew why she had been left it was the same reason he had once been an Outcast in Nome.

   "It's late honey, we'll come back tomorrow, there will be alot more people out then" She tried to sound cheerful.

   "May I stay out here for a little bit?, I just want to watch the sun set" Adele said faking a smile as she lied. The truth was she just wanted to be alone.

    Jenna started to hesitate. "Alright but don't be long sweetheart, its getting a little chilli" Balto said with a shutter as he stayed close by Jenna's side.

   "Yes sir" She smiled. Soon the street was clear and the shops dark. Adele, pulled the half fallen ribbon of her neck and crawled out of the box. She sniffed the paths of the many people she had seen go by that day. Out of all the places she had been, one spot smelled familiar, and then she realized what it was, it was from Kodi. Adele fell down crying under one of the shop carts. It was too much to handle, all she had ever known as family was gone, they had thier own homes, thier own lives, and her she was, what had she really expected a life? No that was impossible, no matter how much she ran from it she couldn't get away from the truth she was w

      Something suddenly interrupted Adele's cries, she looked up and she saw someone's feet, her heart beat fast, it was a stranger, what if he wanted to hurt her?  She was to far away from home to run to the door of safety now. She stayed quiet, knowing her best chance was to be quiet and hope that he just went away.

  "Here puppy" A small voice whistled. Adele held her breath, they sounded nice but how could she be sure?

  "Here puppy it's ok, I won't hurt you" The voice whistled, but even though the voice was convincing and kind, Adele did not move. Balto had taught here there were two kinds of people in the world, those who were kind and gentle with a little time, and those who were horrid no matter what, and sometimes things were never as they seemed.

           Adele watched carefully and soon to her relief, the person began to walke off, with what seemed a disappointed sigh, but Adele noted the way in which he walked,he had a bad limp and it seemed a choir for him to walk straight. Just as Adele thought the cost was clear and she could make it home, a loud thud stopped her. She looked back to the north of the street and saw the little boy lying there, he had apparantly tripped over something, what Adele couldn't tell. She listened closer and heard a pitiful sniffle break from him, and though he thought no one heard, Adele had. He reminded her of when she was little, she remebered she too had once been all alone in the woods, just like the boy was alone now, and then Aleu's words echoched in her ears "Everyone is meant to have someone"  Yet it seemed the boy had no one.

    Adele snuck carefully from her hiding place and headed to the small figure lying in the cold snow. She crept up to his body and walked carefully along the lining of his red jacket. His eyes were closed and a tear escaped his eyes. Adele took one look at him and smiled, licking his face and whining trying to sound happy. The boy opened his eyes and at first looked a little startled then he smiled too.

  "Hi" He said ever so gently tryin to sit up a little, Adele backed away just a little.

  "What are you doing out here little girl?" He asked wiping away a last falling tear. Adele waged her long white tail and sat down as he talked, tilting her head and analyzing his movements. He was small with black silky hair and little freckled cheeks, he couldnt have been more than ten or elven, and his voice was gently and he seemed very kind.

     "Come here" He grinned gently tapping the ground beside him. "Come on it's ok I'm not here to hurt you"   Adele stood up and took a few steps toward him. "Thats right come on" He said whistling a little with an outstretched hand that Adele sniffed then licked politely. She then resited no longer and allowed the boy to pet her.

   "You sure are a beautiful little thing" The boy complimented, bringing her closer to his body as she wagged her tail excitedly licking the boys hands thankfully. "Are you all alone too?" He asked seriously, Adele whined looking into the boys eyes with her bright blues. 

    "Well then looks like we have something in common already" He smiled.

   "Come on what do you say we get out of this cold?"   Adele whined agreeingly as the boy tried to get to his feet, but it seemed very hard for him and even harder with Adele in his arms, but she barked to him encouragingly and soon he was on his feet.

            The boy talked to her the whole time they walked along the street. He told her his name was Dillon and how he lived at the boys home on the opposite side of town. He also explained how he really wasn't supposed to have a dog so he was going to have to sneek her in. Then he explained how he had gotten lost with his group because he is slower than the rest of the kids and how he was afriad the headmaster was going to be mad if he found out. Adele listened intently putting her little input into the whole converstaion.

  "You know I really think your understanding everything I'm saying" Dillon laughed, Adele barked. Of course she understood.

   "Well here we are, this is my home"  Dillon said at they approached a building with a few warm lights on and a few people scurring around inside. 

"I have to hide you" Dillon explained as he zipped up his jacket. "Be quite girl ok and try not to move around too much"  He said.

  Dillon's jacket had a small whole on its side and Adele was able to peak out and see what was going on. He knocked on the door and soon it was opened by an older man who looked as if he had been dreadfully worried about something.

  "Dillon where have you been" He asked, rushing the boy inside. "We've been calling people all over town and the sheriff was out looking"  

  "I'm sorry Mr. Wyett I got lost, I didn't mean to honest I'm real sorry"  Dillon tried to explain.

  The old man looked at him kindly and smiled, seeming to be relieved. "It's ok, we were just a little worried, I'm glad your safe thats all"  He said.  "Alright, its been a long day, take off your coat and get ready for bed with the other boys" The man instructed reaching for Dillon's coat.

  "No, um I'll put my coat up thats ok" Dillon smiled trying to fake what he was really hiding.

   'Alright" Mr. Wyett said a little suprised "You better hurry"

   Dillon hobbled off toward the back room where Adele then saw about twenty differnt boys, all differnt sizes and ages, running back and forth as two women rushed them around, tucking them into beds, getting teeth brushed, slipping on small sleep shirts, and stopping pillow fights.

   "Dillon" The old woman said coming to his side

   "Where have you been?" 

   "Long story Mrs. Wyett" Dillon said with a tierd yawn. 

     She smiled putting her arm gently around him. "Alright, tell me about it tomorrow, go ahead get ready for bed." 

      "Yes, Mam"   Dillon said going to the sink and brushing his teeth. 

        Soon he was sitting on the edge of a small bed in a room with some other kids his age.

   "Here Dillon I'll help you"  A young woman said coming to his bed and kneeling down.

    "Why havent you got your clothes off yet?" She asked reaching for his jacket.

   "No Mari, I can do it" Dillon siad pulling away.

   "You need to go ahead and take that jacket off" She said

     "I'm cold" Dillon blurted out, but just as the fight for the jacket was going on, Adele got the worst itch she had ever had in her life.

    The inside of the jacket was woolly and it pressed agianst her fur sending small shivers through her body. She squiremed trying ot turn around in the small space as she tried t scratch, she was apparantly tickling Dillon because he suddenly let a giggle escape.

    "What are you hiding in there?"  Mari said un-zipping the jacket and reaching inside.

   "Don't" Dillon siad still laughing even though he was trying to be serious.

      Mari paid him no attention and soon her hand hit a furry body, she lasped around it, and immediately, Adele bit her.

   "Ow" Mari said bringing her hand out quickly revealing the tiny bite marks that hadn't quiet broken the skin.

    "She didn't mean to, you scared her thats all" Dillon explained quickly as Adele peeked out from the corner of the jacket.

    "Here girl, it's ok" Dillon said showing her his hands before he gently put his arms around her lifting her into the open. A gasp escaped the room and the other boys, who were supposed to be asleep, quickly gathered around the bed all looking with wide eyes and expectant smiles.

     "Dillon you have a dog? Where did you find it?" A boy with brown hair and bright hazel eyes asked.

    "In the street, she was all alone"

    "She sure is pretty" Mari said looking at Adele strangely.

     "Shes not mean honest Mari, you just scared her thats all" Dillon explained "She helped me find my way back here" 

    "She did?" Mari asked

   "Ahuh" Dillon nodded

    "Dillon I don't think thats a dog" Mari said "You found a wolf, her parents are going to be looking for her" Mari said a bit concererned

    "Mari she was all alone out there I checked there was no one else around, something bad could happen to her if I had just left her, besides she kinda saved me, she was all alone just like me" He let his voie trail off.

     "Can I keep her please" Dillon aksed his green eyes wide with hope and all the other boys looked at Mari too.

     Mari sighed looking around  "For tonight" She rolled her eyes at how she had given in agian. Dillon and the others let a smile escape there faces as they quietly cheered so the Wyett's wouldn't wake up.

    "But then" Mari stopped "Then you have to take her back"  

   "OK, but at least I have her for tonight" Dillon said Hugging Adele close as she barked licking his face. "Sshsh, not too loud girl" Dillon said bringing his finger to his lips. Adele immediately obeyed, being content to lay her head gently on the boys chest.

    "Looks she likes you already" One of the boys smiled.

    "May I pet her Dillon" Another asked

    "Sure Henry, but you have to be very gentle" Dillon said insrtuctingly, beaming with pride that Adele was his and already they seemed to share a bond.

     Henry extended his hand carefully and Adele rubbed agianst is playing with it with her paws to the little boys delight. Then each boy wanted to pet and play with her, and Adele entertained each one knowing it would bring a smile to thier tired faces.

   "Alright its late everyone to bed"  Mari said with a smile.

   "Aww" All the boys objected "Come on Mari"  Jackson yawned "Just a few more minuets"

    "Nope you gotta get up early tomorrow buddy, come on" Mari said slipping the little boy into bed.

    "Here let me help you" Mari said agian bending down, and rolling Dillon's pants leg up.

    Adele watched with curiosity almost falling off the bed, as she leanded to see what Mari was doing to Dillon. Soon though her curiosity went from Mari to Dillon's leg, and then she knew why he limped so bad. Dillon was cripled he had a large medal brace on his leg, but you wouldn't have known it was there, because the pants covered it well enough. Mari was unbuckling things here and there, and it seemed a little painful, Dillon kept grimaicing everytime she moved it. Adele whined cheerfully, climbing on the boys shirt and licking his face to make him feel better, he smiled thankful she was there.

  "Almost got it" Mari said finally getting it off, she then helped Dillon put his legs in bed. "Here you want me to get your linament?" Mari asked, but Adele was alread licking his sore leg gently with her rough tounge.

   "No, I'll be ok, she'll take care of me" He smiled as Adele bounced up to his open arm and curled up close to his body.

    Mari smiled "Alright, just call if you need anything" But the boy and dog were already fast asleep.

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